My surgery is scheduled for next week. I have to make the final payment by end of today. Today is also the last day to get my deposit back. I have been thinking about this for months and have had the date set for many weeks. I have read through many, many posts on this forum and other forums, and I have even participated in discussions like this one where people are freaking out pre-op. And yet here I am, making excuses for why I should back out of this:

1. It's a lot of money. I have young kids. Money could be spent on vacations, etc. The cost is all our savings and then some.

2. My BMI is "only" 31. I should be able to do this on my own, shouldn't I? (Yes, yes, I've lost and gained many times in the past, but this time will be different....).

3. I've been battling a cold and am worried I'll get sicker post-op.

4. I love food. What will happen to my emotions, my coping mechanism once I'm sleeved?

5. I'm anxious about short- and long-term side effects. I have hardly any hair as is and it does NOT grow, no exaggeration. I don't want to be bald! I don't want to deal with reflux. I have great digestion now, no issues - why add problems where none exist? What if I have a leak? My insurance won't cover anything even remotely related to WLS, so we'd be in dyer straights financially.

I know these are all excuses, and I know I'm playing head games with myself. Someone slap me, please.

I never worried about myself much until I became a mom. Now I worry about things that never occurred to me before!

1. Yes it is. I've already committed the money to it because I had to set up my FSA back in November and I can't wait to go on vacation with my son and put on a swim suit in public, FIT into rides with him at amusement parks, KEEP UP with him when he runs about!

2. I've been on a diet since I was 9 years old. My mom had GBS back in the mid 1980's and I SWORE I'd never weight more than 150lbs so I'd never have to go through that (I now weigh 260 or so). My PCP gives me the "calorie in & calorie out" talk all the time and I believe that and yet it has never worked for me... Lordy I hope this does!

3. I've got to go in for labs a few days before surgery and if you have a fever within 24 hours of surgery or they find something in labs I think they'll postpone.

4. Me TOO... I'm going to try to learn to like cleaning or at least learn to do it to keep busy.

5. The hair... I lost quite a bit when my son was born and I don't think its all come back. Mine does grow but I sort-of wonder what will happen when I start actively taking in Protein... I'm not such a protein eater on my own. I'm hopeful the increased protein intake will help in the long run.

Good luck deciding... I had surgery on my hip and I remember walking myself down to surgery and every door I passed was like a beacon tempting me to run like mad the other direction. I just had to keep weighing the pros and cons and made the best decision for myself in the long run.

I am so excited to have my surgery, but I also feel the exact same way as you do.

Right now I do not have major health issues and somehow I feel that this surgery will cause a slippery slope of other problems, all in my Quest for a skinnier, albeit healthier, body.

But I also realize that if I allow myself to gain more weight, then the weight-related health issues WILL start sooner or later. So for me, I view it as me being proactive rather than reactive as in the case of others who have no other choice to save their lives.

I'm sure that many others had these same pre-surgery thoughts, that's why I'm glad that, at least, we have this forum to discuss our fears, our hopes, and to Celebrate with like-minded people.

In the meantime, I will continue my daily prayer that I am doing the right thing and also pray that God sees me through this surgery complication-free and that I don't pick up any new ailments because of it (including losing my gallbladder!).

1. It is a lot of money. But spending it on your health is worth it. You can put your vacation on layaway after the surgery (call a travel agent LOL)

2. See above concerning being proactive rather than reactive

3. Eat Soup, take Vitamin C

4. Once your healed, you can still love food; just eat less of it. Be smart about choices.

5. Read up on Biotin and certain kinds of shampoo. There's always weave.

5b. This is one of my fears. SO ME TOO! Can someone help both of us with number 5!!!!

I hope this helps..... I'm talking to myself and I talk to you because I'm scared too!

I am so excited to have my surgery, but I also feel the exact same way as you do. Right now I do not have major health issues and somehow I feel that this surgery will cause a slippery slope of other problems, all in my Quest for a skinnier, albeit healthier, body. But I also realize that if I allow myself to gain more weight, then the weight-related health issues WILL start sooner or later. So for me, I view it as me being proactive rather than reactive as in the case of others who have no other choice to save their lives. I'm sure that many others had these same pre-surgery thoughts, that's why I'm glad that, at least, we have this forum to discuss our fears, our hopes, and to celebrate with like-minded people. In the meantime, I will continue my daily prayer that I am doing the right thing and also pray that God sees me through this surgery complication-free and that I don't pick up any new ailments because of it (including losing my gallbladder!). 1. It is a lot of money. But spending it on your health is worth it. You can put your vacation on layaway after the surgery (call a travel agent LOL) 2. See above concerning being proactive rather than reactive 3. Eat soup, take Vitamin C 4. Once your healed, you can still love food; just eat less of it. Be smart about choices. 5. Read up on Biotin and certain kinds of shampoo. There's always weave. 5b. This is one of my fears. SO ME TOO! Can someone help both of us with number 5!!!! I hope this helps..... I'm talking to myself and I talk to you because I'm scared too!

Yes, exactly! I could have written that myself. I have hypertension, but I had that even when I weighed less as it runs in my family. But other than that, I'm fine. I carry my weight well because I'm tall. Undoubtedly, I am fat. I hate the way I look. I just moved into plus sizes, and I do not want to shop at Lane Bryant for the rest of my life. Partly, this is about vanity. I admit it. I'm still young. I want to look hot. lol But more importantly it's about my health. I don't count on the sleeve to CURE my hypertension, but losing weight WILL help. I want to have more energy. I don't want to shun life or avoid social occasions, which I do all the time now. I want to be free and not a slave to food!

I guess we just have to take the plunge!

I never worried about myself much until I became a mom. Now I worry about things that never occurred to me before! 1. Yes it is. I've already committed the money to it because I had to set up my FSA back in November and I can't wait to go on vacation with my son and put on a swim suit in public, FIT into rides with him at amusement parks, KEEP UP with him when he runs about! 2. I've been on a diet since I was 9 years old. My mom had GBS back in the mid 1980's and I SWORE I'd never weight more than 150lbs so I'd never have to go through that (I now weigh 260 or so). My PCP gives me the "calorie in & calorie out" talk all the time and I believe that and yet it has never worked for me... Lordy I hope this does! 3. I've got to go in for labs a few days before surgery and if you have a fever within 24 hours of surgery or they find something in labs I think they'll postpone. 4. Me TOO... I'm going to try to learn to like cleaning or at least learn to do it to keep busy. 5. The hair... I lost quite a bit when my son was born and I don't think its all come back. Mine does grow but I sort-of wonder what will happen when I start actively taking in Protein... I'm not such a protein eater on my own. I'm hopeful the increased protein intake will help in the long run. Good luck deciding... I had surgery on my hip and I remember walking myself down to surgery and every door I passed was like a beacon tempting me to run like mad the other direction. I just had to keep weighing the pros and cons and made the best decision for myself in the long run.

I like to clean, lol, but not that much. Exercise, I guess. I used to love it; it used to be my good addiction. I want to get that back.

I lost no hair with any of my pregnancies or after, but seriously if I lost even a little hair now it would be bad, bad, bad. Most toddlers have thicker hair than me! lol

Yes, exactly! I could have written that myself. I have hypertension, but I had that even when I weighed less as it runs in my family. But other than that, I'm fine. I carry my weight well because I'm tall. Undoubtedly, I am fat. I hate the way I look. I just moved into plus sizes, and I do not want to shop at Lane Bryant for the rest of my life. Partly, this is about vanity. I admit it. I'm still young. I want to look hot. lol But more importantly it's about my health. I don't count on the sleeve to CURE my hypertension, but losing weight WILL help. I want to have more energy. I don't want to shun life or avoid social occasions, which I do all the time now. I want to be free and not a slave to food! I guess we just have to take the plunge!

* Grabs hand and proceeds to jump!*

Do it for your health. You will enjoy the other things on your list much more when you are healthy. I know you said you only have hypertention but other issues WILL arise by being obese, yes, you are obese with a 31 BMI. This surgery will improve your health and you will have a ton more energy to enjoy your kiddos. This is only a decision only you can make. Good luck to you.

In my humble opinion, if your having doubts.. WAIT!! This is not to be taken lightly. the sleeve will change your life from the time you enter the hospital until the day you die. This is a tool you'll need to work with forever. Yes.. in a few months you'll be a ble to eat the things you used to.. but never in the same quantities. Also no matter what others have experienced, your experience will be slightly different.

Pray about it.. I pray you make the right decision for yourself and your family

I waited until I had health issues. Proir to surgery I had diabetes that was hard to control with a 9.4 A1C! High blood pressure and high cholesterol. Day three after surgery they shut off the insulin pump and I'm drug free!!!!!!!! Checked my blood sugar 15 min. after eating 2 heaping tablespoons of cottage cheese last nite and it was 94. Yes you will never eat like you ever have in the past, but with a 31BMI? You could diet that extra weight away. I waited until the weight which my BMI was 37, got to my health and had to go this route. I would consult with your doctor about this decision If I were you. Good luck!

I waited until I had health issues. Proir to surgery I had diabetes that was hard to control with a 9.4 A1C! High blood pressure and high cholesterol. Day three after surgery they shut off the insulin pump and I'm drug free!!!!!!!! Checked my blood sugar 15 min. after eating 2 heaping tablespoons of cottage cheese last nite and it was 94. Yes you will never eat like you ever have in the past, but with a 31BMI? You could diet that extra weight away. I waited until the weight which my BMI was 37, got to my health and had to go this route. I would consult with your doctor about this decision If I were you. Good luck!

Ditto. I waited too long. My knees would have recovered 10 years ago, but not now. In one way I'm glad, only because I would have had to have had Gastric By-Pass and prefer the sleeve.

Here's the thing: the first 3 months or so are very hard. I won't lie. There will be days when you will wonder if you did the right thing. But without this I can promise you things will never get better. While it's possible to have surgery issues, odds are things will go fine and after that 3 months, every day gets a little better. Can you imagine that being the case without the surgery?

You have to look 10 years down the road on this one and decide if you want more of the same bumpy ride or smooth asphalt. Good luck.